Received a report on issues relating to the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003, including plans for consulting on a draft Licensing Policy and proposals to vary the Council’s Regulatory and General Matters Board to incorporate the establishment of a Licensing Board.
Agreed, in order that the Council is in a position to meet its obligations under the Licensing Act 2003, to
1. Adopt the draft Licensing Policy, as presented at the meeting, for consultation purposes;
2. Recommend the Assembly that Article 7C of the Council’s Constitution be amended as follows:
a) That the Regulatory and General Matters Board be renamed to incorporate the additional responsibilities of a Licensing Board;
b) Having regard to the political balance requirements of Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, to fix the membership of the Board to ten Members;
c) That the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board be fixed positions;
d) That the quorum of the Board be set at five Members, including the Chair and/or Deputy Chair;
e) That the Board becomes the Council’s decision making body for all contested Licensing Act 2003 applications and the appeal body for applications determined by officers, in addition to its current role on regulatory matters;
f) That the terms of reference of the Board be amended accordingly.
3. Further recommend the Assembly that (a) the Independent Members’ Remuneration Panel be advised of the new Chair and Deputy Chair positions and be asked to consider the appropriateness of associated Special Responsibility Allowances, and (b) all necessary changes be made to the Council’s Constitution.